This blog is for and about the Webster family. Each of us want to make choices every day that will result in optimal health and fitness. We represent different generations and different places in life - from empty-nesters to young families to students. Our health goals are as varied as we are, but we want to have a common place to post our progress and our challenges. We will be accountable to each other - to provide support, design incentives, share information we come across, and in general cheer each other on and celebrate our steps toward fitness! If anyone happens upon this blog and is inspired to be more fit and healthy that is icing on the cake. So here we go!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Brooke- just dessert

Hello Family. I have been having the hardest time keeping to the exercise! And my food strategies are flying out the window! Having house guests for a month now has had devistating results on my exercise devotion!
Exercise has been off and on. For sure not getting in the 6 times a week! Chad's brother and his wife and their two children are living here with us until they find jobs and a place to rent. So my regular routine of getting the boys to bed and then exercising has been inturrupted several nights because Eric and Joy want to talk or sit in the hot tub. I have resisted a few times and exercised. Tonight they went out to the RV and all I really wanted to do was just put on my pj's and crawl into bed.  I decided to read the blog and post and get inspired to work out. I am in my workout clothes and may make it back out to the tv to exercise...

 The past week was crazy with two birthday parties and guests over that of course brought dessert to share. Chocolate molten lava cake for my sister in law's birthday, Black berry cobbler with friends Friday night (ala mode of course), and Garrett's birthday cake Sabbath after church. I have been eating these delicious treats all week!! Not helping on the weight loss!! Haven't gained a ton but I know that if I don't stop and get back to work on my health it is only going to get me in trouble.

Off to burn some dessert calories!

Kathy - Good Info

In our monthly newsletter at work we got the following mini-article:

"Changing the Way You Approach Fitness" by Jesse McFarland

1)  Your Mindset:  If you're not absolutely ready to make a change...sorry, but good luck.  If you're not telling yourself that I HAVE to make a change, then when you get off work on a Tuesday you most likely are going to choose a glass of wine and Seinfeld reruns over going to the gym.  Choose your words:  "I have to" is stronger than "I need to" or "I want to".  Also, don't negatively enforce your thoughts, "I can't be this way anymore," "I'm fat", etc.  Be positive, "I will make a change.  "I will lose weight this year!"
2) Your Goals:  When thinking of a fitness goal be simple, realistic, and specific.  I can't help but roll my eyes when somebody tells that their goal is "to get fit."  Honestly, over half the people that I first meet tell me that this is their goal.  "Get Fit" couldn't be any more vague.  Make your goals specific.  When a recent client told me his goal, "I want to be able to play basketball with my son without getting tired,"  I instantly knew that he would succeed.  Make your goals simple, "I want to lose 5 lbs by spring,"  I want to be able to run or walk a 5K."  Make your goals realistic,  Saying you want to start working out 5 times a week, is not realistic when you are first starting out.
3)  Your Lifestyle:  Guess what?  Everybody is busy.  Just hoping to fit in 2 or 3 workouts a week will not work.  Time management is everything.  Be specific with your amount of time.  Choose your exact days.  there's a reason you see the same people Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm at a gym.  These people make a schedule for their workouts.  Choose the days, the times, and how long beforehand.  Then, make it happen!  Lifestyle can be so many other things.  These things are usually connected to your mindset.  For example, if you refuse to stop eating fast food everyday.  Your mindset might need to change with your lifestyle.     

In conclusion:  Motivation comes from you!  Motivation can't completely come from a trainer, friend, parent, or spouse, but it does come from within yourself!     

Jesse McFarland has a website for further help:  jessemcfarland.com.

        

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Kathy - Polar Trekking

The plunging temperatures and snow accumulation have turned our daily tromps into something resembling polar trekking.  When we went to the lake last evening it was 5 degrees and the snow was knee deep at best, thigh deep in places.  It was snowing as we trudged through the darkness, the light from my headlamp illuminated the snow wells made by FL's boots. The majestic beast ignored our trails and surged through the deep whiteness with effortless strength. All in all, yet more reasons to love outdoor time every day. 

The thing about trekking at the lake at night is that with only my headlamp I become hopelessly disoriented.  This can be rather exciting because it feels like I am forging (floundering) through an uncharted wilderness, but it can be rather disconcerting also, as when I wondered why the creek was making such weird sounds only to realize it was really waves of the lake washing up against the snow!

Just a note about fatigue:  It seriously undermines resolve and totally unravels resilience.
Take home message:  Get enough rest! 

Weather report:  Sunny, beautiful and 19 below!

PS:  The beast slept ALL night last night - I have a new lease on life!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Kathy - LOTS of exercise...

...for the beast!  It has been a weary week.  FL and I are exhausted.  Not because we have been exercising so much, or have been overly busy, but because of lack of sleep.  The beloved beast has us trained to let her out twice a night (at least!)- around midnight and around 2:30 a.m.  In the past she has done quite well, only wanting out once a night, or even sleeping completely through - but recently she has wanted to explore the wonders of the night and we have suffered for it.  Last evening, in our sleep-deprived state, we concocted a plan.  During our tromp we would call the beast back and forth between us.  This would give her lots of exercise because I am usually quite a ways behind FL.  We discovered that the most effective way to accomplish this, as the beast got more and more worn out, was for me to flop dramatically in the snow and call for help.  The noble beast would come galloping to my rescue - the snow flying! I managed to remarkably recover just before she reached me and then FL would whistle and the beast would go running to him!  We had one tired puppy at the end of the tromp!

(The plan was a failure - she has unfortunately gotten into horrible habits, so last night we began her reformation by ignoring her 2:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m., etc. pleas entirely.  She soon settled down and slept.  Hopefully this plan will be more effective).

Four times with the KB this week!  Two more to go.

I encourage you all to be faithful to fitness!!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Kathy- A Fun, New, Site

Check out Healthy Girl's Kitchen.  Good stuff!

Kathy - Working the Plan

Reporting in on the plan of doing a kettlebell routine 6 days a week.  Started off Sunday strong, one day down.  Monday FL, KB and I headed to Boise.  I actually did the KB routine in the hotel room instead of using it as a doorstop!  I had a planned break Tuesday night - knew we would be getting back late.  We actually ended up getting back at a reasonable time, but we were exhausted from nasty winter-time travel and I was grateful I had planned a break.  A bit discouraging to only be halfway done this evening, but I did it! Also took a tromp, marched on the treadmill, and threw the blue doughnut for the beast (doubt that counts!).

Happy Health to each of you! Keep up/Get back to the good work!  

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Brooke- sculpting isn't easy

Hello fellow body beaters... well beating our bodies into submission. So I have been keeping to my charted routine except for two days. I have done the Biggest Loser Power sculpt video a few times and yesterday I did the entire routine...all 45 mins of it!! Let me tell you my pectoral muscles were screaming at me today. Every time I picked up Garrett, moved laundry, took dishes out of the cupboards, and in general just moved I was 100% aware that I had worked my muscles. I took a 45 min walk today to allow some down time.

I hope all of you are working at getting fit and feeling great.

NO PAIN, NO GAIN... or something like that.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Kathy - A Woman of Resolve and Resilience

My poor kettlebell is feeling lonely these days, and a bit insulted (being used as a doorstop of all things!).  And I am feeling guilty for neglecting so wonderful an exercise.  I have made up my mind that I really am going to get back on track and actually do my plan to exercise with kettlebells 6 days a week.  I am going to track this with big red X's on my work calendar.  I am firmly resolved to this and I will be resilient - I will not let emotional ups and downs, or weariness, or traveling, or anything hold me back from doing this!  There.

PS:  If only my kettlebell would get hyper and look at me with pleading big brown eyes it would be as easy to keep swinging as it is to keep tromping!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Kathy - Snow, Snow, Snow!

In case you missed the title of my post, we have snow!  So today the three of us booted up and headed out into it.. The beast in boots is amusing, she seems to accept them well however. We went to the lake for our tromp and there was even more snow there. Must have been at least a foot of snow on the level - so beautiful stacked  serenely on the picnics tables and benches.  It was snowing heavily as we tromped- the snowy, snowy world was intoxicating!  I loved watching the beast gallop through the drifts - she is definitely well-suited for such an environment.  She had a slight wardrobe malfunction after she waded in the creek - her left front boot came loose and the Velcro froze and was not too great at sticking.  Fortunately the boot stayed on and the beast was spared the agony of snowballs in her paws.

We meandered through the snow, weaving under snow-laden trees where there was less snow, for a brief reprieve. but mostly we just trudged through the deep snow enjoying the exercise. The smooth pristine unbroken snow was beautiful, however I certainly didn't complain about the newly broken trail stretching in front of me!  As we were walking, the snow fell off one of the trees in a huge poof.  Why did it do that?  Did the tree decide it was tired of having its limbs pinned and give a tiny shrug?  When you are tromping in a snowy woods you have time to wonder about such things.

On another note, I made the E2 lasagna recipe - it had the possibility of being revolting but it was delicious!  It makes a lot - I ended up with a whole extra pan.  Try it - it's yummy!

Hope you are all enjoying your fitness journey!  I am, one snowy step at a time...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Kathy- Tromping again

After a brief break from tromping due to the ski trip, we are back at it.  The hill is sporting a new white coat about 6 inches thick, which turns a mere tromp into an impressive workout.

I must take a moment to let you all know how much I love my boots.  After owning the same pair of boots for years (bought them early on in Bozeman) I finally got a new pair last year or so.  We were at Cabelas, I knew my price range and was shopping accordingly.  The kind, helpful boot salesman gave me a knowing look and suggested I try on Merrills.(Completely ignoring the price range I was looking in). I tried one on, then the other - bliss!  They were the most comfortable hiking boots I had ever had on my feet and they still are. (So much for keeping in my price range!).  They keep my feet wonderfully warm and dry no matter what I might be slogging through.  After hearing me rave on and on about them for miles, FL bought himself a pair and was justifiably impressed.  He tested them by doing 20+ miles in a day and got nary a blister. So, would my love affair with the outdoors be possible without my feet being so happy?  I seriously doubt it. My advice:  get good equipment - it's worth the investment!

Onward and forward!  Keep up all that good exercising!
My time today:  60 minutes give or take about 5 minutes.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Brooke- silly exercise

Two days in for me. I'll tell you 45 mins all at one time feels like forever!! I have done Zumba power sculpt (lots of funny jumping and shaking) and turbo jam cardio party (lots of kicking and punching in all directions) I fully intend to do Yoga tonight! It will be a bit more peaceful than all that jumping, dancing, shaking, and kicking. I honestly can say I'm glad no one else is awake most nights that I workout! I feel really silly shaking it all over the living room!

On the hunt for a fun full length mirror so I can start taking my own change pictures. I think I will ask Chad to take a couple for starters.

Ta ta for now. Keep up the good work. Sophie I will get your money in the mail tomorrow.

Kathy - Doorstop

FL and I have been enjoying the ski trip - hopefully skiing all day counts as 45 minutes of exercise.  We roughly figured that 7-9 runs should do it.  I also brought my kettlebell along just in case the weather was bad - so far it has made an excellent doorstop!  Most handy when hauling suitcases and bulky ski stuff in and out of the room!  Yesterday (Tuesday) brought new meaning to the words cold and windy - they almost closed the main lift because of the wind.  In the afternoon it started spitting snow, so add being hammered by ice chips into the mix.  I barely got my runs in.  We'll have to see about today - the good news is that the hill got 5 inches of new snow last night - the bad news is that they are continuing to get more!  I may have to do laps around the lodge.  I am definitely a fair-weather skier.

The beast is doing fine so far without us - we called to see how she was doing yesterday.  They said they put a bucket of water in her kennel and she got it all over the place!  She does love to play in her water.  She was also having a fun time socializing with the border collies and chickens.

I am planning on personally trying to get an hour of exercise in a day - will keep you posted on how that goes.

Have a fun and fit Wednesday!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Katie-New Challenge begins tomorrow!

I'm starting tomorrow! I love the exercise part so this will just keep me accountable to everyone.
I also want to focus on healthy food choices and drinking lots of water.

I am still working toward my goal of getting as close as possible to 140 by 2/24 my birthday.

love you guys!

Happy V day

Brooke- Second Challenge

So I guess I have been silent long enough. I honestly have been pondering this new challenge stated by FL and Mom for the past few days. I really don't want to work out 45 mins a day, in parts or in full, however I also need to change routine. Maybe kicking it up another notch will do the trick. So I guess I'm game.

I have charted out each week of the challenge and compared workout DVD's and other activities I like and have placed them on the chart day by day to know what to do each day. So I begin the exercise part of the challenge tonight.

I also want to make an effort to get 7 hours of sleep a night, drink 2-3 quarts of water daily and eat no seconds at any meal.

So Goals:
To bed by 11pm
Drink  3 quart jars of water
Eat only one serving at each meal

I am going to continue to weigh daily and measure weekly because I like to see the changes the workouts bring and it keeps me honest with myself.

Alright. Good luck to each of you and be strong for you journey!

Kathy - A Cold and Windy Valentine's Day

First of all:  Happy Birthday Sophie!!  Hope you had/are having a wonderful birthday. 

FL and I are skiing.  It actually was quite a beautiful day - just a bit cold and windy. And cloudy.  But we could see and that is a good thing when you are skiing.  It really was fun to ski being a bit more fit than I have been in the past. I felt more in control and that is also a good thing when you are skiing.  

I am wondering about the second challenge - Tyler and Sophie said when they would like to start.  I think anyone who wants to participate can start any time this week.  It would be most encouraging to me if you would post, at least stating your intention to participate.  Or if you would like a different type of challenge let me know that as well.

Thought for the day:  If you are more fit you can have more fun. So here's to more fun!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Kathy - Exercise Challenge Clarification

The 45 minutes of exercise does not have to be at one time.  You could do a 30 minute workout, then take a 15 minute walk at another time and have your time in.  Should we push it up to an hour?

Friday, February 11, 2011

Kathy - Girl Challenge

I have been thinking about a concurrent, longer challenge-type thing for the women of the family.  Along with whatever 30-day challenge we may be having, how would the Webster woman like to do another challenge on the side.  My idea is to have us all work toward accruing points.  The total number of points would be large, 1,000 or something like that.  We would have a list of things we could earn a certain number of points for, such as 25 points for losing 5 lbs, 10 points for doing a fruit fast (having nothing but fruit and fruit juice for 3 consecutive meals), 5 points for doing a specified amount of exercise....don't want to make it too complicated, but perhaps together we could up with a short list.  When the grand total is reached we would have a girl's weekend away, or a spa day...what do you think?  I am open for ideas for the point-earning activities, what the total should be, what sounds good for a prize, etc.  Anything to make fitness just a little more fun!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Official Winner!

FL has returned from Honor Roll Skip Day and doesn't need to weigh in the morning because Sophie is clearly the winner!  What the rest of us need to do is send her congratulations - and money!

Great job Sophie!  Keep up the good work!

Note:  FL lost 4 lbs.

Kathy - The Second Challenge!

Okay folks so how 'bout trying an individual challenge for an interesting change?  Here is the deal:

Whoever exercises for at least 45 minutes a day, 6 days a week, for 4 weeks, gets a prize.  The prize is $25.00.  IF nobody successfully does this, the person who exercises the highest number of days in the challenge time period wins 50% of the total prize money.  SO, you can all win, some of you can win, or one of you can win....

We are doing pretty awesome with the exercise thing, so let's cement these positive changes and perhaps step up the intensity a bit for some of us.

This challenge is open to our three wonderful offspring and their significant others. 

If you decide to accept this challenge just post on the blog stating that fact and say a bit about how you plan to accomplish this challenge. 

PS:  Need some input on when to start this thing.  Tyler is taking a week off from exercise and Katie is going to Brazil in March.  I guess we could have a bit of a staggered start.  Those who wanted to could start Sunday the 13th and if some wanted to wait, they could start the next Sunday.  Or we could all wait a week and let Katie finish hers when she gets back...what do you think?

Kathy - Final (sort of) Results

Hi Folks,

I hate to say 'final' because this is an ongoing process, right?!  Anyway, I lost 4 lbs for a 2.8% loss of body weight.  FL leader forgot to weigh this morning so he gets to weigh tomorrow morning after eating lots of pizza this evening (Honor Roll Skip Day).  So thus far Sophie is the winner!  Great job Sophie!!  But also great job to all the rest of us!  Tyler has stuck with his program when he hadn't before, Brooke has made exercise a regular part of her life, Katie discovered working out at lunch time.  I love kettlebells (and blogging!).  FL is just an exercising machine no matter what, although for him the nightly tromps have been a lifesaver because he has been plagued with injury-type stuff. 

More coming soon (as in later this evening) about the next challenge, so stay tuned!

Love you all!

Final Results

Total body % 1.68

Bust: 2 inches
Waist: 1 inch
Hips: 1 inch

Good job family!
What is our next challenge??

Brooke- Final Post for Challange 1

Well the results are in. Here are mine:
1.6% loss in body weight
- 4.5 lbs 
- 1.25 inches from chest
-1.5 inches from waist
-.5 inches from hips


Any movement in the right direction is good! Congrats to all of you!!

One More Workout

Today is the last day of the 30-day challenge, and the day before my last workout before my drop week. When I started this program I didn't think I would do the drop weeks. I was like, "maybe I'll just keep going during that week. I won't need it." Well, I definitely need it. During the past couple weeks I've noticed that I've been taking longer to recover, I've been getting stiffer and just progressively run down. I can definitely now see the wisdom of taking a break to let your body reset, recharge and heal. My upper back between my shoulder blades and my shoulders were getting especially sore. Fortunately I was able to get some cupping done earlier this week, which helped a lot. Cupping uses glass or plastic cups and either a flame or a suction gun to create a vacuum and suck the cups to the skin. It's really, really great at relaxing tight muscles. Also, sometimes it leaves marks.



I lost a total of 0% of my starting weight.

Sophie is a rock star and lost 6 pounds for a total of 3.07% weight loss.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Brooke- Last night before weigh in

What will the scale say in the morning????? Will it be enough??? Oh the tension! Here's to all of you!

I'm off to power sculpt... see your lighter figures in the morning...(pun intended)

Katie-End of the challenge


Hello family,
These last 30 days sure seemed to fly by. I learned that food is my biggest struggle. I actually love the feeling of working out, I just love to eat too much. In the last 30 days, I have picked up the habit of working out during lunch. I used to make excuses to not go to the gym "I'm too tired" "I deserve a break" etc. But now I feel like I have so much more energy in the afternoon and am not having to reluctantly drag my sleepy self back to work. I haven't lost that much weight so far but I am noticing my body is more toned and less jiggly bits. :) Feels good even though I don't think i won. Will weigh and measure in the morning for final results.

450 cal burn today
This is my "before" picture

Kathy - We have come to the FIRST end!

Well folks, this is it.  The final day of our first 30-day family challenge is tomorrow.  Here is what to do:  Weigh yourself tomorrow, preferably after you go to the bathroom, before you eat anything, after you trim your fingernails, toenails, and hair, with next to nothing on.  Make a note of the number of pounds you have lost since we began this challenge and multiply it by 100.  Divide this by your beginning weight and you should end up with percentage of weight lost. Please post this on the blog tomorrow so we can determine a winner. 

Hope this has been a good 30 days for you all.  I think the best thing to happen to me as a result of this challenge is working out with kettlebells.  Other positive things include eating more vegetables and fresh fruit, and becoming addicted to walking outdoors just about every day.  I was doing this before the challenge, but writing about it made me realize just how much I enjoy my daily tromp and how much I miss it when I miss it. 

On a more serious note, and to show just one small reason why we are pursuing fitness here is a link (I hope!) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110209/ap_on_he_me/us_med_stroke_younger_victims to a bit of sobering news. Doesn't it make you glad we are doing this?!

PS:  Thanks for the family picture Katie - nice touch!

Katie-Stretching

This last weekend Steve showed me some good stretches to use before working out. I've never really been much of a stretcher, but I would really like to gain some flexibility and I don't want to injure myself. Yesterday I only did cardio at lunch with strecthes before and after. Not sure if its all just in my head but I felt a difference in my muscles.

250 Cal burn. Sigh, will do better today!

Kathy - Energy!

Well, believing that I have really stepped up my activity level in response to our family's 30-day challenge, I discovered that the newest 'family member' has me beat hands down.  FL, the beast, and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa and their new tiny puppy, Scamp, last evening.  He is one ball of energy and ceaseless activity!  It was great fun watching his interaction with the beast, who weighs 90+ lbs.  Scamp probably weighs 3 lbs at the most.  Absolutely fearless, he would launch himself at the beast, throwing his little body over her massive bulk.  He would snuggle up under her chin (we made sure the beast stayed lying down - much too big to really romp with such a little guy) for a moment and then he was off again, running around and around her, jumping up and over her, I bet he was getting great calorie burn!  Wonder what our fitness level would be like if we lived like puppies - going all out for short bursts and then crashing for frequent naps.  Might be fun to try - at least the frequent nap bit!

Last day guys!  Final weigh-in tomorrow!  Fitness first!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Katie-Recovering from a wonderful weekend

This weekend Steve and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary by taking the Palm Springs Tram up into the mountains and playing in the snow. It was fun exploring the snowy woods (reminded me of home). Burned some calories but definitely took in more at a romantic Italian dinner in Palm Springs that evening. I loved the tiramisu!

Monday it was back to the grind burning 670 calories. I think my body is used to the lunchtime cardio because I almost start to feeling antsy around mid-morning.. Like sitting over a patient isn't cutting it and I need more movement.

Hope everyone is feeling more energetic from this challenge too!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Kathy - No Ringing (or is that Swinging?) Tonight

Hi Guys,  A little tired tonight so did not do the kettlebell workout.  We did take the beast tromping and I hopped on the treadmill for a bit.

Yesterday I made some yummy no-fat chocolate-chip cookies. (At least the only fat in them was in the chocolate chips - there was like 0.7 grams of fat per serving).  FL thought they were good.  Took some to work and they liked them...so I guess they will do!  Got the recipe from the Happy Herbivore recipe collection.  They are called Butter Bean Chocolate Chip Cookies - interesting concept to replace the fat with applesauce and beans.  Next up:  Black Bean Brownies...

Thursday is the last weigh-in so tighten your belts and step up the pace!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Kathy - Little Tips to Lose Weight

I came across an article that had some interesting information in it.  To summarize:
1)  For every 3,500 calories you expend above what you take in, you lose a pound.  Pare 350 calories from what you normal eat and burn an extra 350 a day and you will be about 14 lbs lighter in 10 weeks.
2)  Check your food portions.  Be sure to check food packaging for suggested serving size and compare it to what you are really eating.  A 105-calorie serving of Grape-Nuts, for example, is one 1/4 of a cup - a large bowl can easily exceed 400 calories.
3)  If you tend to be a fast eater, try a "speed bump" food at the beginning of your meal.  This something like hot soup or spicy salsa that you can't eat very quickly - so you're forced to slow down, which gives your body a chance to feel satisfied before you overeat.  Since it takes at least 20 minutes to feel full, take your time and concentrate on enjoying your food instead of gobbling it down.
4)  If you want to achieve lasting weight loss, don't neglect strength training.  It's effective for weight control because if helps maintain muscle mass, and muscle burns more calories that fat even at rest. 

Hope you find something helpful here! 

Things are really coming down to the finish line with our first challenge!  Go guys go!

Brooke- A new dress

Friday was a wonderful day! Chad gave me the afternoon off!  I went to Ross and just for fun pulled a smaller size to try. I found a dress that is a lovely shape and thought I will try it. I put it on and... it fit! It is a size 16! I was speechless! Now you have to understand that for the last several years I have been a size 24 or 26 and to fit into a size 16 dress and look great was so AWESOME!!! I don't think I'm a size 16 in pants yet but I will get there and then melt that off too! Yahoo!!

I also purchased the Biggest Loser Power Sculpt DVD that is a 6 week program. I will be starting it tonight as soon as I am done posting.  I can't wait to see who is the winner of this challenge and to see what FL and MD(mother dear) have in mind for the next go round.

Hang in there and stay strong! I'm cheering for all of you!!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Kathy - Extended Territory

Lately we have been taking longer tromps - mainly to give us and the beast more exercise, but also because we really enjoy it.  We have been making regular forays into the long weeds up the hill from the giant field - the region of 'the eyes'.  It is a lovely walk, much quieter than tromping through the stubble and there is a large pile of rocks along the way that we call the rabbit warren because of the creatures that live there.  But FL makes remarks like, "This is the only area of the tromp where I am a bit concerned because you never know what might be lurking in the tall weeds".  And then he does things like sweep his headlamp over the hill behind us as we descend to see if anything sinister is following us out of the tall weeds.  I was thinking about these things as we were tromping through the weeds last night..  I decided it would be a wise thing to whistle a merry tune - because music might hurt the tender ears of whatever might be lurking in the tall grass and they would leave.  When FL asked me what in the world I was doing I explained this to him.  He responded that it made him feel like leaving too.  So much for merry whistling.  Guess I'll just have to stay close to FL for protection.

Have a fun and fit weekend!

Paying for it

So like Sophie, I gave into temptation this morning. It was a brisk 25 when I left for work so I figured something warm would do the trick. We have limited options out here in this desert town so I was stuck going to McDonalds. I got their new Carmel Mocha with a hashbrown. mmm! I took a couple sips and almost immediately felt ill. I ate half the hashbrown before giving up. I felt so gross the whole morning! Won't be doing that again!

I only worked out at lunch time (200 cal) because I had to get home to prepare for an anniversary weekend celebration. Happy 3 years Steve!

Have a good healthy Friday everyone!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Sophie - My first real temptation

Today top management decided to buy my department a treat. Cupcakes from Trophy Cupcakes. This was by first real temptation to eat something I knew had dairy in it and I am sorry to say that I failed. I am even now paying for my decision to eat one of the delicious chocolate cupcakes. I let myself down and now my throat hurts due to my trouble breathing earlier and the coughing associated with it.

I am hoping that this experience will strengthen my resolve next time. Church potluck here I come!

Kathy - New Scale

Tip:  If you don't like what your scale says, order a new one!  Actually the scale we have had for at least ten years has decided to get creative.  FL will be 18% body fat at first and the next hour (no eating in between) be 24%.  We now have a new scale.  This isn't just any scale. This scale will weigh you, figure your body fat %, your body hydration %, your body bone %, suggest calorie intake requirements and make you breakfast!  Just kidding about the breakfast....Will keep you posted on the wonder!

Have done my kettlebell workout - decided jeans aren't the best for the purpose and will dress differently next time.  Now we are on our way to tromp.

Happy fitness to you all!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Tyler - Lifting Weights and Chewing Gum . . .and I'm all out of Gum

It's week five of my training program and the last eight days of the family challenge. After week six I'm scheduled to have a drop week where I don't lift weights at all. I'm looking forward to relaxing and focusing more on Qi Gong and Yoga. I definitely feel like I've gained a lot of strength so far, and I'm not even halfway through the program. I did something that I have always wanted to do this week, which is bench press a bar with 45's on it. Now, that's only 135 pounds (90 pounds of plates plus 45 pounds of bar), which isn't a lot by bench press standards but it is something I'd always wanted to be able to do, and now I can - which feels great.

Oh, I also wanted to share this link with you all. Whether you're looking for new workout ideas or more information about fitness there's a lot of good stuff there and it's all absolutely free. Enjoy!

Logistics

If I was able to get your email addresses correct, via emails sent to Tyler and myself or Facebook, you should have all recieved an email invitation to be contributors to this blog. It appears that you have to have a gmail account so if you don't have one feel free to create one.

Hopefully this will make having multiple people writing posts easier.

Brooke- Sprint to the finish?

Well the finish date is in close range and I'm not sure about you but I feel like if I were side by side with you on the track I would be up for sprinting to the finish line. Virtually I am having a harder time. Plateaus are no fun and it would seem my dear body has decided that weight wise it isn't going to budge this week. I remain the same as last week on weight. I did lose half an inch on my chest and a quarter inch on my waist but nothing from anywhere else. I also have to admit that I haven't been very faithful to intense exercise (i.e. Shredding) but I have been making sure to get some form of intentional movement in.  I went for another lovely walk in the sun today with the younger boys. Yesterday I walked and did Zumba.

I'm curious to see who wins this challenge. Not looking forward to giving away $10 so I am planning on hitting it hard this week. If not now, when? Isn't the saying Go hard or go home??

Here's to going hard. Good luck!

Katie-Alternative forms of exercise

Hello family!

Today the gym wasn't quite as hectic.  Hooray!  Only burned 550 calories on the cardio machines today BUT I did come home and did a lot of sweeping, mopping, scrubbing and straightening ie moving various items all around my house for about an hour and a half.  Could tell I burned some calories and get to sleep tonight in a much cleaner house.  Contented sigh  :)

Sophie - Giving up milk

So this Monday I gave up on all forms of cow's milk. I have been attempting to do this for years now and that is why Tyler and I cook mostly vegan. However I have never definitively said, "From this day forward I will not consume anymore milk products." I did this on Monday.

Let me explain my reasons for doing this: a. I am lactose intolerant, and have been for many years. b. I have an allergy to the protein and cow's milk, and beef. So not only does the consumption of dairy (cow's milk and it's derivatives) affect my digestion, it also affects my ability to breathe and complexion.

For the last couple of years I have limited my dairy consumption but have a very difficult time in giving it up completely, mostly because I LOVE cheese. To make things more difficult my work provides free snacks and most of them contain some sort of dairy. They also periodically provide chocolate candy, which is very hard to resist. This has just made things more difficult to give up the dairy.

Now, I am not making a big fuss over the whole thing. For example, if I go out and order something I believe is non-dairy and it ends up having some milk in it I will not return it. But I do need to take a stronger stand against ordering things with cheese or milk products.

I foresee the most difficult times to keep this promise to myself is going to be at church potluck. We all know how Adventists tend to cook. It will also be difficult when going out to eat. I have, so far, resisted temptation at work with the snacks, even though they had one of my favorite chips Cheddar Ruffles, and that makes me proud of myself.

Kathy - Kettlebells part II

So I just finished a nice little 12 minute kettlebell workout - pant, pant, huff, puff!  I love, love, love interval training.  I especially love it when someone tells me when to work out and when to rest.  Judging by what I have done so far, I think it has been a great progression to do the 21-day KB swing challenge and then move to a DVD.  Also thinking maybe I will do the nice little 12 minute workout for a week before adding the 40 minutes workout.

Don't be discouraged - get fit, stay fit!

Kathy - Victory!

Hooray!  I successfully completed 21 days of swinging a kettlebell!  No, it was not difficult.  Yes, I can see results.  Example:  Easier to lift a pan full of gravy and pour it into a bowl.  FL is convinced I need to use my new-found strength to help split wood - not sure how I feel about that!.  I would, in the long run, like to be uncommonly strong.  My ongoing kettlebell plan is to do the 40 minute workout on the Lauren Brooks DVD twice a week and the 12 minute workout 4 days a week. 

Speaking of challenges, family, our 30-day challenge ends February 10.  Get ready for the sprint to the finish line!  Also get ready for the next fun and motivating challenge. FL and I have some ideas....

PS:  We also welcome ideas for the next challenge, so feel free to share.  What would help you?

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Katie-Circling the parking lot

Hello all!
So I have added yet another goal to the ever expanding list.  I will be a faithful blogger every day during the month of Feb.
Today was a good day. People must have gotten back on the wagon today because the gym was PACKED both at lunch time and after work. I took a few turns around the parking lot and slight stalking of exiting gym member to find a spot.  Once in I discovered that almost every piece of cardio equipment was being used by dozens of big sweaty marines.. the type you don't wanna mess with.  I found one lowly elipitical machine and began.  I really pushed and in 35 min I burned 450 cal!  Felt really good plus got to leave the gym a little early. 
Keep it up guys!  Every little bit helps. 

Kathy - E2!

Fun, fun new resource to check out:  The Engine 2 Diet.  I cannot remember how I came across this, but it is not at all surprising as The Engine 2 Diet book is a bestseller.  To find out more about it just google Engine 2 diet recipes.  So much good information - you can find out about the diet, the science behind the diet, and read 'The Daily Beet'... then there are the recipes!  They sound yummy and healthy, if that can be said in the same sentence. If you are a total nerd like me you can read some of the hundreds of 5 star reviews of the book on Amazon.com

As a result of reading 'The Daily Beet' I came across the Healthy Girl Kitchen blog - more fun!  More really healthy, delicious-sounding recipes.  I intend to browse this site more, but now I am off to watch The Biggest Loser while I treadmill.....(maybe it will help me thaw out - it is COLD here!)